Types of Vaginal Odors

by
KAREN HELLESVIG-GASKELL Last Updated: Aug 16, 2013

Karen Hellesvig-Gaskell

Karen Hellesvig-Gaskell is a broadcast journalist who began writing professionally in 1980. Her writing focuses on parenting and health, and has appeared in “Spirituality & Health Magazine" and “Essential Wellness.” Hellesvig-Gaskell has worked with autistic children at the Fraser School in Minneapolis and as a child care assistant for toddlers and preschoolers at the International School of Minnesota, Eden Prairie.

Unpleasant vaginal odor is not an uncommon problem for women. It is frequently due to an overgrowth of vaginal organisms. The unpleasant smell is often most noticeable following sexual relations and may be accompanied by vaginal itching, irritation and discharge. There are a number of possible causes of vaginal odor.

Bacterial Vaginosis

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, bacterial vaginosis (BV), also known as bacterial overgrowth, is the number-one cause of vaginal odor in premenopausal women. Bacterial vaginosis produces a fishy-smelling vaginal discharge that's due to an excessive growth of normal vaginal bacteria. The cause of BV remains unclear, but it appears douching and /or having a new sexual partner or multiple sex partners may place women at a higher risk.

Vulvovaginitis

Vulvovaginitis is another very common reason for vaginal odor. Vulvovaginitis is an infection or inflammation of the vagina and vulva (external parts of the female genitalia). It can be caused by certain sexually transmitted diseases as well as allergens, bacteria, yeasts, viruses, and simple poor hygiene.

Other Common Causes

There are a number of other reasons for vaginal odor. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the reproductive organs that typically develops when sexually transmitted bacteria travels from the vagina into the upper genital tract. The symptoms of PID include an unpleasant odor and vaginal discharge.

Uncommon Causes

In rare cases an irregular connection between your rectum and vagina (rectovaginal fistula) can cause the contents of your bowels to seep from the fistula and, as a result, gas or stool may pass through your vagina. Both cervical and vaginal cancer can cause a displeasing odor. A tampon inadvertently left in your vagina also will cause a foul odor.

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